Marion Secret Vegetable Garden Tour

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The Friends of the Elizabeth Taber Library in conjunction with Community Veg Marion are hosting a one-day tour of secret vegetable gardens on Friday, September 29 from 12 pm to 3 pm. Tickets are $25 per person, tax deductible, all money goes to the Elizabeth Taber Library.

            Come celebrate the Harvest Moon and be inspired to start your own vegetable garden. Register at the library, ASAP. Tour is limited to 40 people. Pick up a tour brochure at the library on the day of the event. Visit the library’s seed bank and take some seeds for frost tolerant kale, collards or arugula. Or take out books about gardening. For more information, visit: www.elizabethtaberlibrary.org or call 508-748-1252. Connect with Community Veg Marion on Instagram: @MarionVeg. Get growing.

Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride

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The Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride is adding some shining new scenery for its 17th year. The annual Watershed Ride is a fund-raiser for the Buzzards Bay Coalition, a membership-supported nonprofit organization that protects clean water in communities across the Buzzards Bay region. Every dollar raised helps support the Coalition’s work to improve the health of the Bay ecosystem for everyone through education, conservation, research and advocacy.

            The 2023 course has been updated to include the newly-opened Shining Tides Mile of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail. This magnificent mile crosses the Mattapoisett River estuary, salt marshes and Reservation Beach at the head of Mattapoisett Harbor, offering sweeping vistas of the Buzzards Bay coastline.

            “The Watershed Ride was created 17 years ago to showcase the beauty of Buzzards Bay,” said Nina Chomak, Director of Public Engagement for the Buzzards Bay Coalition. “This stunning section of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail is sure to be a course highlight for our riders, and we couldn’t be happier to include it.”

            The Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride is a one-of-a-kind community event for cyclists of all ages and ability levels. Participants begin their ride in Little Compton, Rhode Island, Westport, Massachusetts, or Rochester, Massachusetts on 100, 7, or 35 mile overlapping routes across the beautiful Buzzards Bay watershed. All routes end together at a finish line celebration in Woods Hole.

            Cyclists on the 100 and 75 mile courses will experience the updated route, which was plotted in close partnership with the Friends of the Mattapoisett Rail Trail and the town of Mattapoisett.

            Renee Pothier, Friends of The Mattapoisett Rail Trail Board President, remarked, “The Coalition has always supported the creation of bike paths in our region, especially in Mattapoisett. We’re thrilled they can use it for this year’s fund-raiser.”

            To celebrate this exciting update, the Buzzards Bay Coalition is offering 50% off of Watershed Ride registration using code shiningtides. Visit savebuzzardsbay.org/ride to register.

Rochester Flu Clinic

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There will be a High Dose Flu Vaccine Clinic at the Rochester Senior Center on Tuesday, October 10 from 10:00-1:00. High dose flu vaccines are for those age 65 and older. Walk-ins will be available from 12:00-1:00 if there are remaining vaccine doses. The Rochester Senior Center is located at 67 Dexter Lane, Rochester.

            There will also be a Flu Clinic at the Joseph H Plumb Memorial Library in Rochester on Monday, October 16 from 4:00-7:00 pm. Pediatric and adult vaccines will be available at this clinic. There may or may not be high dose vaccines at this clinic. Contact the Public Health Nurse at cdolan@townofrochester.com or 508-763-5421 to make an appointment. Walk-in appointments will be available from 6:00-7:00 pm if there are remaining vaccine doses. The Joseph H Plumb Memorial Library is located at 17 Constitution Way, Rochester.

ConCom Not Giving Up on Water Rights

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            Rochester’s Conservation Commission Tuesday overrode recommendations from Town Counsel as it approved a mandate that anyone applying for one of its permits must allow site visits from the Conservation Commission or its Conservation agent to be considered for that permit.

            The commission endorsed its original addendum to the Rochester Conservation Commission application over revisions submitted by Town Counsel that edit out reference to the fact the lack of a site visit will cause the application to be denied.

            Town Counsel’s revision strikes out those words and adds the lack of a site visit “may result in a conclusion by the Conservation Commission (that it) does not have sufficient information to fully evaluate the proposal …”

            None of the commissioners were happy with these changes. “The teeth have been taken out of this,” said ConCom Chairman Christopher Gerrior.

            “We have to hold our attorney’s feet to the fire here,” Commissioner Ben Bailey said. “Lawyers will water down anything they see.”

            Gerrior proposed approving the commission’s own original language. Member Mike Gifford suggested adding “at the sole discretion of the Conservation Commission” to the permit-denial mandate, and the board unanimously approved the original addendum.

            Later Gerrior announced some bad news regarding the much-debated regional Conservation Restriction that includes 13 acres at Red Brick Farm East. The town may not get the water it wants as a result of the project after all.

            When they first heard of the CR plan months ago, commission members complained that Rochester has lost the right to use its own water resources too many times over the decades. The regional CR agreement was proposed to give Mattapoisett the water rights to the Rochester parcel, including possibly digging up to four new wells, under a co-ownership agreement with the Mattapoisett Water and Sewer Authority.

            The commission was united in its members’ refusal to sign the Red Brick Farms CR without more information, especially as to whether the CR can be rewritten to give Rochester rights to some of that water, but they finally agreed to the plan only if it was emphasized that the $1 purchase offer needed to be part of the letter’s language.

            Gerrior reported on September 19 that the plan favoring Rochester’s water rights may not become reality after all. He said Town Counsel told him, “We did everything we can. But our proposal is never going to happen.”

            Bailey responded it was not yet time to give up on Rochester’s water rights proposal. “We should have Town Counsel reexamine this,” he said. “Direct Town Counsel to seek every possible avenue to get this proposal to work. Then come in and talk to us about it. We shouldn’t give up.”

            Gerrior turned that suggestion into a motion, and the action was unanimously approved.

            In other business, Sarah Wasserman of the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife gave the Conservation Commission a presentation on a new Bio-Map, which delineates land and animal habitats around the state that need protecting. She said that 60.4% of Rochester is covered by these habitats and lands. The map’s goal, the accompanying brochure elaborates, is the strategic protection and stewardship of these lands. For more information, she said, people can visit Mass.Gov/BioMap.

            The Rochester Conservation Commission will meet next on Tuesday, October 3, at 7:00 pm at Town Hall, 1 Constitution Way.

Rochester’s Conservation Commission

By Michael J. DeCicco

Acushnet Grange Agriculture & Craft Fair

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Join us at the Acushnet Grange Fair, Saturday, September 30 from 10 to 3. There will be crafters with homemade items, wood carvings and more, Tails and Trails 4-H club with prize winning animals and Dogs for Better Living from Falmouth and tractors.

            Inside Grange Hall, there are Agriculture Displays. U Mass Extension service will have samples of pesto to taste and recipes to use with local produce. Also inside at 11 am, Nettie’s Bees from Rochester will have a talk on importance of Bees and Pollination and a book reading for children at 1 pm, “Up in The Garden Down in The Dirt” author Kate Messner. There will be a craft for each child to make. Outside, Acushnet Fireman Association will have hot dogs, hamburgers and soda and inside the hall, will be coffee and cider doughnuts.

            The Grange is located at 1121 Main Street, Acushnet. For questions, call Caroline at 508-763-2795. Open free to the public. Only Service dogs allowed.

Mattapoisett Library Artist Series Exhibit

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Come visit the Mattapoisett Free Public Library between October 1 and October 31 to see an exhibit entitled, Sail Away with Me by local artist Barbara Edlund Healy. Healy’s paintings reflect the quiet beauty of the New England coast. Her oil and acrylic paintings are inspired by the diverse colors of light, atmosphere and nature. Healy uses color to enliven peaceful landscapes, seascapes and gardens. Her paintings try to be more than a snapshot, giving a feel of the breeze on a summer sail or a memory of an evening walk. Brushstrokes over glimpses of color intentionally reveal some of the painting process. After growing up in South Windsor CT, Barbara attended UMASS Dartmouth. Her degree in textile design has given her a background in color, but she often paints plein air to learn from nature. Just some of the awards she has received are from the Westport Art Group, Cape Cod Art Center, Cuttyhunk Plein Air, SouthCoast Artists’ Annual Theme and Wet Paint Padanaram Harbor. She is a juried artist member of the Cape Cod Art Center.

Gail W. Dunn

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Gail W. Dunn, 82, of Mattapoisett passed away peacefully on September 22, 2023. Born in Middleboro, she was the daughter of the late Joseph C. and Helen L. Whitcomb, and the wife of the late Giles H. Dunn. She lived in Mattapoisett most of her life.

            Her commitment to serving her community spanned decades. Over time, she served in a variety of leadership roles within the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, Mattapoisett Women’s Guild, Mattapoisett Women’s Club, Mattapoisett Christian Church, the Point Connett Association, and the Pine Island Cemetery Board of Directors. She also volunteered with the Girl Scouts, the Mattapoisett Historical Society and served for a time on the Mattapoisett School Committee.

            She will be best remembered as a woman committed to her family, the environment, and wildlife preservation.

            Survivors include her son, David W. Dunn, and his wife Diana, of Mattapoisett; two daughters, Susan Dunn of Rochester, and Rebecca Dunn Chowske, and her husband Joseph A. Chowske, of Floral Park, NY; three grandchildren, Griffin Dunn, and Devin and Alexander Chowske.

            Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, Friday, September 29th at 10 am. Visiting hours Thursday, September 28th from 4-7 pm at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Road, Mattapoisett. Interment Pine Island Cemetery.

            In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the National Audubon Society, National Audubon Society, 225 Varick St. New York, NY 10014, or the Mattapoisett Congregational Church, 27 Church Street, Mattapoisett.

            For directions and guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.

James (Jim ) Dexter, Jr.

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James (Jim ) Dexter, Jr. 79, of Mattapoisett passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, September 22, 2023 at home surrounded by family and friends. He was the son of the late James Gordon and Leatha Dexter.

            Jim worked at Old Rochester Regional High School as a custodian for over 40 years. He took great pride in his work while enjoying his job. Jim showed compassion to both the staff and students at the school. After retirement he worked at the Rochester Council on Aging. To him it felt like a second home and he was loved and cared for like family.

            Jim found such comfort through his faith at the Mattapoisett Friends Meeting. He developed friendships that remained with him over the years. The members were always there for him and have shown such support through his illness. Over the years, Jim was always there lending a hand whenever needed.

            Jim was a lifelong resident of Mattapoisett and he loved his community and the special people who live there. He truly enjoyed his morning coffee time with his buddies at Shipyard Galley. This close knit group of friends were there to offer Jim assistance whenever needed including rides to the hospital for treatments.

            Jim is survived by his wife of 31 years, Dana Marie Dexter, his loving sister Debbie Townsend and her husband Bob Townsend, loving nieces and nephews, cousins, numerous friends, and his best buddy his dog Asta. He was preceded by his sister Mary Dexter Costa.

            We have all been blessed to have had this remarkable man in our lives. Throughout his life, Jim made amazing friends who made him and his family feel special. The family appreciates all of you for being part of his life. They will truly miss their loving, compassionate and humorous Jim.

            The family would like to thank the Southcoast Visiting Nurses Association and Hospice for their care during his illness.

            All services will be private. Donations can be made in memory of Jim to:

Mattapoisett Friends Meeting P.O. Box 795 Mattapoisett, MA 02739

Rochester Council on Aging 67 Dexter Lane Rochester, MA 02770

Elizabeth “Bette” Z. Sobieraj

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Elizabeth “Bette” Z. Sobieraj fell into her final rest at 11:05pm on Monday, September 11, 2023. Her loving daughters, Cheryl and Karen were at her side.

            Born in Utica NY, Bette was the daughter of the late Stanley and Eugenia Ziemba and a graduate of the Utica Catholic Academy.

            For over a month, Bette battled ARDS, (Acute respiratory distress syndrome). Her desire to live was strong throughout her battle. When the decision to be ventilated needed to be made, she proudly declared, “Just go for it!” Bette fought for life on the ventilator for 27 days. Bette wanted to live, but in the end the disease won. She was always a fighter.

            Bette lived for family and friends. Nothing gave her greater joy than being surrounded by chatting voices, crying babies, the pitter patter of toddlers or the slobbering faces of dogs. She considered every friend a family member and that was evident in the calendars she kept that recorded every event in everyone’s life. No occasion was too small to remember. She didn’t just preserve people’s history on a calendar, she acknowledged every event with a greeting card in which a handwritten personal note was ALWAYS included. Even while in the ICU on a Bi-Pap machine, one of Bette’s greatest concerns was getting birthday cards written to her daughter Karen, son-in-law Ken, and great grandchildren Dominic and Vincent. She spent hours scribing notes in Christmas cards to convey her love during the holiday season. She needed others to know she cared and loved them. Greeting cards conveyed that love, care and concern – her precious gift.

            Giving gifts was another of Bette’s passions. She would walk the aisles of stores for hours scrutinizing every detail to find the perfect gift for that special loved one. Bette wasn’t wealthy, but because of her unspoken motto “where there’s a will there’s a way” her ability to find the perfect gift at the perfect price left birthdays with gifts galore and Christmas mornings with so many presents that the tree was hardly visible!

            Bette also had the gift for gardening. Her children remember planting tiny zinnias seeds every summer by her side. On the first day of school, those flowers would be cut, grouped into small bouquets, wrapped with a wet paper towel and aluminum foil to be presented to the new teacher. The Sobieraj children were known for their bouquets because of her. She could grow sunflowers to well over 8′ tall, lilies of the valley that filled the yard with the sweetest of scents and hosta that attracted hummingbirds by the dozens. Because of Bette, her children had a beautiful yard to play in.

            Bette’s beautiful yard, and giving heart were not only experienced by her 6 children. Bette worked in child care for most of her life. She helped raise dozens of children of working parents providing every child a safe, loving, snack filled, activity enriched place to be before and after school and during school vacations. While these children were born to another woman, I have a strong sense that due to Bette’s giving heart, many, if not all, consider her a surrogate mom.

            But perhaps the trait that stands out is her dedication to everyone and everything in her life. Bette never gave up on anyone. Despite the financial hardship of raising 6 kids, Bette was dedicated to her children never going without. She worked days and nights to provide every child with a life that never wanted for anything. Every daughter’s hair was perfectly curled because of her. Every child was clean, fed, and dressed in the latest fashions because of her. Every child was offered a private college education because of her. Every child was offered the wedding of their dreams because of her. Every child was offered a home to spend the holidays, because of her. Every child had a defender, a supporter, a fighter in their corner, because of her. She tended to her late husband of 56.5 years, Bill, with every ounce of her being. She sacrificed her own health to care for him, to love him, to give him life. She gave all of herself in every breath, even her last.

            Elizabeth Z. Sobieraj lives on. She lives on in each of her 6 children: Dorene Murphy, Karen Gutta, William “Billy” Sobieraj, Cheryl Sobieraj Wadhwa, Christine “Crissy” LeGault, and Lisabeth “Lisa” Good. She lives on in her children-laws: Joseph Murphy, Charles “Chuck” Gutta, Sunil Wadhwa, Kevin LeGault, and Ken Good. She lives on in her 16 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren, nieces/nephews and the dozens of surrogate children from her days as a daycare provider.

            She lives on in her living siblings: Martha Dosiek of TX, Mary Sobieraj of NY and her brothers: Joseph of NY and Eugene of WI and her siblings that have passed: Stanley, Alice (Ziemba), Edward, and Clara (Wilson).

            Each of us will remember her smile, her long hugs, never empty refrigerator, her love to dance, her love to love.

            There are 3 takeaways from Elizabeth’s/Bette’s/Mom’s life that everyone should live by: Remember to take care of each other – Remember to eat – Remember to call when you arrive.

            Her wake was held on Friday, September 22, 2023 at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home For Funerals, 50 County Rd., Mattapoisett, MA 02739. Her funeral Mass was held at St. Patrick’s Church, 82 High Street Wareham, MA 02571.

Young Voice Provides Leadership

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            Amidst a flurry of school-committee meetings, tours and open houses, Old Rochester Regional Superintendent of Schools Mike Nelson arrived at the September 14 public meeting of the Marion School Committee eager to share the impression made by student Nia Gonzalez, whose keynote address to the ORR faculty has become a topic of conversation in all season-opening school-committee meetings.

            Invited by Nelson to provide a keynote address, the Sippican Elementary School sixth-grader and Project 351 participant wowed the gathering of faculty and staff.

            “I’ll tell you point blank she took over the podium, and it’s one of the best Opening Day speeches that we’ve had in recent times,” said Nelson, who was gratified to tell the committee of the decision to involve students in Opening Day ceremonies. “I think that the public will hear a lot more from her, but she was very comfortable standing in front of the crowd. It was great having her family in attendance as well to support her and see her in action, and I think she did an excellent job setting the tone in terms of why teachers do what they do and why it is so important to the students even though they may not know it.”

            Gonzalez also introduced final speaker Steve Gross of the Life is Good Foundation, who talked about the power of optimism and the role that teachers play in the lives of students and families.

            “Honestly, the connection between Nia and the Life is Good message felt perfect,” said Nelson, who explained the Project 351, a statewide educational program, focuses on students as influencers.

            Sippican Elementary School Principal Marla Brown would open her report with news on Project 351 activities, including work with ORCTV.

            Committee Chair April Nye called Gonzalez’s speech, “amazing.”

            Nelson and Nye also publicly thanked the facilities staff for getting the school building ready for the new academic year.

            The September 14 meeting opened with a recognition of faculty members for length of service, as well as new members and members with new roles.

            Lisa Horan was recognized for her 20 years serving as a Kindergarten teacher. Elementary teachers Amanda LeMarier and Elizabeth Milde were recognized for 10 years of service.

            Nelson welcomed into a new role Kristine Lincoln, a familiar face as he pointed out for her many roles in the ORR District, as interim director of Student Services.

            Brown welcomed ELL Specialist Teah Keogh, Paraprofessionals Nadeen Mardo and Makayla Bumpus, Paraprofessional Officer Cassandra Craig and Student Resources Officer Jonathan Tracy of the Marion Police Department.

            Debra Smith has moved from Grade 4 teacher to Special Education teacher, Leanne Dineen from Grade 2 teacher and Grade 4 and Emily Bourgeois from Kindergarten to Grade 2 teacher.

            The district and Sippican bid farewell to Craig Davidson (director of Student Services), Kathy Dranchak (ELL specialist), Penny Sullivan (Special Education teacher), Bailey Sweet (PreK paraprofessional) and Taylor Swoish (Paraprofessional IX.)

            Brown summarized changes to the Sippican Student Handbook. Report cards go home on December 8, March 15 and June 10.

            The committee approved an OpenSciEd grant for Grade 5 in the amount of $4,100.

            The committee approved two donations, a large, red book cart (double-sided) and cart cover to the Sippican Library from community member Bernadette Kelly and a $765 donation from the 2022-23 Sixth Grade Parent Group in VASE to the Sippican School Music Account.

            The committee heard a report from Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Howie Barber, who updated the members on finances, food services and facilities. Nelson also updated the committee on the progress being made in the gardens outside Sippican Elementary School, including the greenhouse.

            Nelson reported that Tabor Academy offered a donation of up to $50,000 for playground equipment to be installed on the Sippican grounds. A new play station is anticipated this fall.

            In her first Chairperson’s Report of the school year, Nye likened the school year to a blank canvas and the students to artists.

            “They have a wonderful year ahead of learning new subjects, reading new books, being exposed to new ideas and cultures and expanding their own knowledge base,” she read, going on to talk about the social side of school, including new friendships and extracurricular involvement. “I cannot wait to see the magnificent work that will be created. No matter which artistic direction each of our Sippican learners decides to take their canvas, it will be spectacular to say the least. Their shared academic experiences will help foster and create their own educational masterpieces that will last for years to come.”

            With that, Nye publicly thanked all the educational stakeholders, including the many volunteers that helped guide the process.

            In her first address as director of Student Services, Lincoln thanked the summer staff for the work it did helping get students ready for 2023-24.

            Nelson highlighted new features on the updated ORR District website and reported that a family phone app called ORR Connect is in development.

            In committee reports, Michelle Smith reported that the ORR School Committee authorized Nelson to discuss with Acushnet that town’s interest in exploring tuition-based attendance at ORR High School.

            The committee broke into executive session for the purposes Number 3 and 7 to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining or nonunion personnel and to comply with applicable state and federal law and grant-in-aid requirements.

            The next meeting of the Marion School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, October 19, at Sippican Elementary School, and the next meeting of the Joint School Committee is scheduled for Thursday, September 28, at ORR Junior High Media Room. Both meetings start at 6:30 pm.

Marion School Committee

By Mick Colageo